(PENSACOLA) --- I am beginning this report with what matters, Gina Marie Montalto, who lost her life at 14 on Valentine's Day 2018 in a school shooting.
Her lost life is why her father's colleague takes a poster of Gina to walks and protests, including today's No Kings demonstration on the corner of 9th Ave. and Airport Blvd.
"She first came with me in the Walk for Our Lives in Pensacola on Palafox," he said, asking to remain anonymous while holding up a sign of Gina, who attended Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland. "She has been with me on every walk since and will until we enact some common sense gun control."
(Photo: No Kings Protest, March 28, 2026)
The only difference since the day Gina died is that more people have died due to lenient gun control laws, he said, adding that a foundation keeps her memory alive.
Another protester drew attention to the recent disappearances of Gen. William McCasland and Monica Reza, which has many questioning the government.
(Photo: No Kings Protest, March 28, 2026)
Noting he is part of the Mockingbird Movement, Rodney said he is "bringing awareness to the fact that Gen. William and the scientist who worked under him during research and development for the mysterious super-alloy.
(Photo: No Kings Protest, March 28, 2026)
"They were either taken from us by our adversaries or the U.S. Government," Rodney said of the story reported by the New York Post, which points out the connection between the general and scientist regarding research "into advanced materials needed for reusable space vehicles and weapons."
And, of course, blatant No-Kings protestors lined up against the president were everywhere. Anti-Trump signs held high along Airport Road, like' Rodney's red baseball hat, were a trend with one protestor passing out signs stating, "President Trump's Only Success is Selling Hats to Idiots."
(Photo: No Kings Protest, March 28, 2026)
Other signs spelled out the matter as seen below, pointing out the signs of fascism, including using military force on citizens, rejecting election results, and ignoring due process.
(Photo: No Kings Protest, March 28, 2026)
That all sounds familiar to Mark, also asking for his last name to remain anonymous, holding up his "No Fascist, War, ICE, Kings" sign with the same pride Trump wears his hat.
"All of our dead presidents are rolling in their graves," Mark said.
(Photo: No Kings Protest, March 28, 2026)
While some stood alone, others gathered together. Adi Bukkapatan and fellow protestors answered quickly when asked why they were on the corner: to fight fascism, defend democracy, and say no to war with Iran.
Bukkapatan said No Kings is exactly what the Democratic Socialists stand for: a "more democratic society, whether in government or the workplace."
(Photo: No Kings Protest, March 28, 2026)
"We don't appreciate anybody encumbering democracy on any level," Bukkapatan said.
While some motorists honked for encouragement, others let protestors know their devotion to the Trump Administration through loud vulgarities out the window.
(Photo: No Kings Protest, March 28, 2026)
Amid the animosity in the crowd toward the current administration, there was a sense of unity among locals, who were grateful to express how they feel openly, without judgment, which will immediately attach itself to the social media comments on this report.
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